Boro hit back for big win

19 March 2011 09:00

Scott McDonald and Andrew Taylor were on target as Middlesbrough came from behind to claim a 2-1 win and ease their relegation worries with victory over 10-man Watford.
Boro are now three games unbeaten but they got off to a bad start as Danny Graham, who started his career on Teesside, opened the scoring with Watford's first strike at goal.
The in-form striker opened the scoring in the 28th minute. Don Cowie played in Graham, who cut inside and onto his right foot before firing past Paul Smith to register his sixth goal in as many matches.
It looked ominous for the hosts as the Hornets were unbeaten in five matches and Middlesbrough have a shortage of fit strikers but McDonald hauled them level. The Australian striker swept home from Barry Robson's right-wing cross.
Taylor's strike on the stroke of half-time, which was his first goal for Middlesbrough, proved decisive and helped his side move nine points clear of the drop zone. Midfielder Robson was again involved as his low 20-yard strike was parried by Loach into the path of Taylor and he made no mistake with the rebound.
A poor afternoon was compounded for Watford when Adrian Mariappa saw red for a second bookable offence and they slipped to ninth in the table following the defeat.